| Mduduzi Shabalala | |
| Birth Date: | 20 January 2004 |
| Birth Place: | Soweto |
| Height: | 1.63 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Currentclub: | Kaizer Chiefs |
| Clubnumber: | 42 |
| Youthclubs1: | Kaizer Chiefs |
| Years1: | 2022– |
| Clubs1: | Kaizer Chiefs |
| Caps1: | 43 |
| Goals1: | 7 |
| Nationalteam1: | 2020–2021 South Africa U17 |
| Nationalteam2: | 2022– South Africa U20 |
| Nationalteam3: | 2023– South Africa U23 |
| Club-Update: | 24 May 2024 |
| Ntupdate: | 24 May 2024 |
Mduduzi "Mdu" Shabalala (born 20 January 2004) is a South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Division. He is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in South Africa.
Shabalala grew up as an Orlando Pirates supporter, but joined the Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at age 18.[1] He had played in the Lenasia Football Academy.[2]
After winning the 2020 COSAFA Under-17 Championship, he went on trial with Villarreal CF.After impressing for Kaizer Chiefs' Diski Challenge Shield team in 2021–22, Shabalala went on trial with KVC Westerlo, and was given his first-team debut against Moroka Swallows in May 2022.[3] According to iDiski Times, Westerlo also made a bid for the player, but the negotiations with the Chiefs broke down.[4]
Shabalala did not win the 2022 COSAFA U-20 Cup with South Africa, which also acted as the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, but was named in the Team of the Tournament.[5] [6] He was formally promoted to Kaizer Chiefs's senior team on 1 December 2022.[7]
Shabalala was called "a standout player" during the winter part of the 2022-23 South African Premier Division.[8] [9] During the 2023-24 South African Premier Division, Shabalala played semi-regularly, but did not establish himself as a key player yet. The team also struggled in mid-table.[10] [11] [12]